Teeter board



Jan.v 17, 1939. HfA. THMPSON vTEETER BOARD Filed oct. 2K2, 193e w w m o a JW 2 e .ew/1P. l 2,1m l a i m es-; w. e- 1i, W4 /4 rvu/WWW? 2 ,w

..Nlllynw |||f||\ Patented Jan. 17, 1939 UNiTED srAres ATE f OFFlCE 1 Claim.

My invention relates to improvements in devices known as teeter boards, and it consists in the combinations, constructions, and arrangements herein described and claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide a board that will remove the liability of injury to small children and which may be used on school playgrounds, parks, kindergartens, and other suitable locations, and in which the height of the board may be readily changed without altering the framework which supports it.

Y A further object of the invention is to provide a novel means for mounting the axle pivot which results in a very economical construction.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specication, and the novel features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming part of this application,V in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of the device.

Figure 2 is a side elevation.

Figure 3 is an end view.

Figure 4 is an enlarged section along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, and,

Figure 5 is a detailed View of device.

In carrying out my invention I provide trans verse supporting members I and 2 which are held together by longitudinal members 3 and 4 rea portion of the spectively. Side members 5 and 6 are mounted on the longitudinal members 3 and 4, being secured to these members by bolts 'I which pass into the side members and are provided with nuts disposed in bores 8. Brace members 9 are secured to the side members and rest on the longitudinal members 3 and ll, as is shown in the drawings.

Transverse bars I0 and II respectively are located on the tops of the side members 5 and 6 and are secured to the side members by bolts I2 which have nuts disposed in bores I3.

Bearing blocks I4 and I5 respectively are secured to the members I0 and II. These bearing blocks, as will be seen in Fig. 1, are provided with saw kerfs such as that shown at I6 in Fig. l, the purpose of which will be explained later.

An axle or pivot bar is provided by use of a 1%" water pipe, as shown at Il in Fig. 4. This pipe is turned down at each end to enter a short section oi 1" pipe I8, the latter forming the journal for the pipe Il. A washer I9 such as that shown in Fig. 4 is disposed so as to bear on the shoulder left by the turned down portion of the pipe and is virtually clamped between the shoulder and the inner end of the short pipe section I8, the latter being secured to the turned down portion in any suitable manner such as by a driving lt.

The bearing block Ill is provided with a central opening to receive the journal I8 and the latter may have a frictional pressure applied thereto by means of a bolt 29. It will be understood that the opposite end of the axle is similarlyV constructed and held. The frictional pressure applied to the axle Il may be varied to control the freedom of the tilting of the board 2| so that when the board is used by small children the pressure will be increased on the axle to prevent too rapid oscillation of the board.

The teeter board proper 2I is provided on its underside with an axle clamp. This consists of a portion 22 and a portion 23 having an opening to receive the pipe I1. Bolts 24 extend through the board 2| and through the portions 22 and 23 as shown in Fig. 5 so as to hold the parts rigid together and to clamp the board firmly to the axle Il. l

At each end of the board 2| I provide a hand hold 25 by boring holes 26 of suitable size through the board and inserting both ends of a short length of garden hose 2l into these holes and flush with the bottom side of board. A piece of manila rope 28 is run through the hose and is rmly knotted at both ends on the underside. This forms a strong handle of curved bow-shaped form which cannot be dislodged by ordinary use and which at the same time is flexible and therefore can be used without the possibility of injury such as might occur through the use of a rigid it will be seen that if it is desired to raise or lower the board all that is necessary is to substitute for the side members 5 and 6 other side members of the desired height. This can be done Without interfering with the remainder of the assembly.

The washers I9 keep the axle Il in a central position, that is to say, they prevent end play, and in fact act as thrust members against the bearing block.

My invention contemplates the provision of means for accommodating children of various sizes. To this end I may locate the rubber hand holds at different distances from the ends of the board. To accommodate smaller children the handles are placed nearer the end of the board while they are placed farther away from the end When the board is designed to be used for older children.

The children readily get the idea of adjusting different Weights and numbers so as to maintain j bers, transverse bars removably connected to thetops of the side members, a pair of bearing blocks Y connected to the transverse bars and provided with openings, a journal received by the openings, a pipe received by the journals and a teeter board secured to the pipe intermediate the ends thereof, the opposite ends of the pipe Where received by the journals being reduced in diameter to provide shoulders, a Washer located between each shoulder and the inner end of each journal for retaining the pipe in position, said bearing blocks being split for a portion of the length thereof, and means for securing the bearing, blocks to the transverse bars and for varying the tension on the journals and the ends of the pipe.

HENRY A. THOMPSON. 

